Hand-lever.



PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

H. M. DODD. HAND LEVER.

APPLIOATION rmm APR.12,1907.

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A TTOR/VE Y5 HAYNE M. DODD, OF MOULTRIE, GEORGIA.

HAND-LEVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Application filed April 12, 1907. Serial N0. 367,795.

simple and efficient means whereby a quick movement of thelever in either direction is permitted, said device being also provided with means for effecting a minute adjustment of the lever. Such devices as heretofore used are objectionable because the levers connected to them often swing back suddenly and unexpectedly and are likely to injure the engineer. Moreover, considerable lost motion occurs with the result that it is practically impossible to avoid the jerking so noticeable in stopping or starting a locomotive.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these objectionable features in a simple and efficient manner.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the lever and its look, a portion of the latch being broken away and said lever being shown out of normal position; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the upper portion of the lock and the adjoining parts of the lever, said lever being in its normal or vertical position; and Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of a portion of the lever and the guide block connected thereto.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates a base of any suitable contour designed to be secured to a support ing structure and extending from this base is a stud 2 on which is fulcrumed a lever 3 which extends beyond the base and terminates in a handle 4. A groove 5 extends transversely within the rear face of the lever adjacent the upper portion of the base 1 and pivotally connected to the lever and within the groove 5 is a guide block 6 having a groove 7 extending longitudinally within the exposed face thereof. The ends of the groove 5 are enlarged as shown in Fig. 3 so that a rocking movement of block 6 within groove 5 is permitted.

A short longitudinal slot 8 is formed in lever 3 near the groove 5 and extending loosely therethrough is a pin 9 projecting from a latch block 10 having a screw threaded rounded recess 11 in its lower face and extending from side to side of the latch. A stem 12 projects upward from the latch block 10 and through a guide car 13 on lever 3 and this stem is surrounded by a coiled spring 14 which bears at opposite ends upon ear 13 and block 10 respectively so as to hold the pin 9 normally at the lower end of slot 8. A small lever 15 is pivotally connected to lever 3 adjacent handle 4 and a link 16 connects this lever 15 with the pin 9. It is therefore obvious that by actuating lever 15 the latch block 10 can be shifted out of normal position against the tension of spring 14.

Base 1 has an opening 17 in which is pivotally mounted a stud 18 extending from the center of an arcuate guide plate 19 disposed to rock along one face of the base and having a curved guide rib 20 extending throughout the length thereof. This guide rib is disposed to project into the groove 7 in block 6. Ears 21 project forward from 'the end portions of plate 19 and journaled within them is a stem 22 having means, such as a wheel 23, at one end thereof whereby the stem can be conveniently rotated. That portion. of the stem located between cars 21 is enlarged in diameter and is preferably provided with double screw threads as shown at 24. T hese threads are designed to be engaged by the threads in the recess 11. The lever 3 has a rod 25 pivoted to it and designed to transmit motion from the lever to the valve actuated thereby.

It is thought that the operation of this device will be fully understood from the foregoing description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. By raising the latch block 10 in the manner described the lever 3 can be readily swung upon its fulcrum and will cause the rocking block 6 to slide along the curved guide rib 20 and cause a rocking movement of the plate 19. If, however, itshould be desired to minutely adjust the lever so as to slowly open or close a valve the latch block 10 is maintained in engagement with the threads 24 and by turning the stem 22 said latch block will be drawn longitudinally thereof and carry the lever therewith. As the latch block is spring pressed and longitudinally movable it'is apparent that the same will remain in contact with the threaded portion of stem 22 at all times during this adjustment of the lever.

It will be noted that the entire device is extremely simple, durable and efiicient in construction and as it is capable of either quickly or minutely actuating a valve it will be found extremely desirable inasmuch as the jerking often produced by the starting or the stopping of a locomotive may be entirely eliminated. Moreover, the provision of the threaded stem for engaging the spring pressed latch block absolutely prevents the lever from swinging backward unexpectedly. By providing a double thread said threads can be made very coarse and strong and at the same time permit minute adjustment.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. The combination with a base, a lever fulcrumed thereon, and a guide block pivotally connected to and movable with the lever, of a guide plate pivotally connected to the base, said block slidably engaging the plate, and means upon the lever and plate for locking the same against independent movement.

2. The combination with a base; of a lever fulcrumed thereon, a guide block pivotally connected to the lever, a spring pressed latch block slidably mounted upon the lever, a

guide plate pivotally mounted on the base, said guide block slidably engaging the plate block pivotally connected thereto, a spring pressed latch block slidably mounted on the lever, and means for actuating the latch block of a guide plate pivotally mounted adjacent the lever, a longitudinally extending guide rib upon the plate and slidably en gaged by the guide block, said guide block being disposed to rock the plate during the movement of the lever, a revoluble adjusting screw connected to and movable with the guide plate and normally engaged by the latch block.

4. The combination with a lever; of a pivotally supported guide plate adjacent the lever, a guide member pivotally connected to the lever and slidably engaging and disposed to rock the guide plate, a spring pressed latch block movably mounted upon the lever, and an adjusting screw revolubly mounted upon and movable with the guide plate and normally engaged by the latch block.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HAYNE M. DODD. l/Vitnesses:

O. B. ALLEN, J AS. HUMPHRnYs. 

